Cannabis Lounges in NYC: Are They Open?

For some consumers, cannabis would be best enjoyed in a shared public space with an intentionally cultivated ambiance — dim lights, vague background chatter, and a relaxing yet social environment. This idea has given birth to the notion of cannabis lounges in New York, but are there weed bars in NYC yet? The short answer is no, but the longer answer is that they’ll likely be here eventually.

What are weed bars (cannabis lounges)?

A new take on social spaces

A cannabis lounge, also known as a weed bar, is a business that will be licensed through the state of New York to allow on-site consumption of cannabis, including smoking and vaping. These spaces are not your average bar — they will need to have special HVAC systems designed to keep smoke and vapor from building up, as per New York regulations. The goal is to keep the environment enjoyable for everyone while allowing cannabis lovers to consume freely.

These spaces will likely sell food and drinks, both infused and not infused. This way, people can hang out, grab a bite or a drink, and enjoy their cannabis all in one space that resembles a traditional bar. And, as at regular bars, nobody has to consume anything — sober travelers are welcome.

Why cannabis lounges in NYC are a big deal

Smoking is not allowed in the vast majority of indoor spaces in New York. Having a designated space where people can enjoy cannabis outside the home may help lessen the stigma around cannabis consumption.

Moreover, many New Yorkers rent their homes, and their leases forbid smoking cannabis. Having somewhere to legally consume cannabis indoors could be the start of an inclusive citywide community and network of lounges where everyone can enjoy. This, after all, is New York City’s long-term goal: a legal, inclusive cannabis culture.

Are there weed bars in NYC right now?

The current status

As of March 2025, there remain no licensed consumption lounges in New York City, and it’s unclear when licensure will begin. That said, the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) — the recreational legalization bill in New York — does indeed outline the framework for consumption lounges. Nevertheless, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has not yet begun to issue applications for on-site consumption businesses.

A quick internet search may point you to some “weed-friendly lounges” in the city, but proceed with caution. These businesses are not licensed by the OCM and are not beholden to the same level of consumer safety as regulated cannabis operators such as dispensaries.

Legal pathways for weed bars

While the rollout for cannabis lounge licenses has been frustratingly slow for consumers, eventually, licensure will occur.

Once the OCM details the rules and regulations for cannabis lounges in New York, owners must apply for a license during the application window. After reviewing applications, the OCM will issue a limited number of on-site consumption lounge licenses. In addition to being licensed through the OCM, on-site consumption businesses will also need to comply with state and local safety and public health guidelines, as well as food safety guidelines.

Where can you legally use cannabis in NYC?

You don’t have to visit consumption lounges to find spaces to light up legally. Here’s where you can go to legally smoke weed in NYC:

Private residences

You are allowed to consume cannabis in private residences, as long as the owner of the residence is okay with it. This means you can smoke in your home or your friends’ homes, but tread carefully when lighting up in a rental property. While consuming cannabis is allowed in private homes, landlords are still allowed to ban smoking inside the property.

Public spaces

You can consume cannabis in New York anywhere that you’re legally allowed to smoke, such as sidewalks (including those that serve as a park’s perimeter). While NYC isn’t the most smoke-friendly city, you’re allowed to smoke or vape cannabis in public spaces as long as:

You are not in a motor vehicle, including a stationary or parked vehicle.

You are not at a restaurant, golf course, sports stadium, outdoor dining patio, rooftop bar, event space, hotel, cannabis dispensary, or other business.

You are not on federally owned land or federal property.

You are not on public transit.

You are not within 100 feet of a hospital, school, church, library, or daycare. 

You are not in a state or community park, or on a state or community beach. 

There are not any “no smoking” signs around you.

What to expect from future weed bars in NYC

A social cannabis experience

Imagine walking into a room where everyone is enjoying cannabis openly and legally. For many people who have consumed cannabis for years, the idea of being so public with consumption can be startling. It’s a stark departure from the closet that cannabis was kept in for decades.

This is exactly the point behind weed lounges: a welcome, inclusive space for anyone and everyone who loves cannabis or wants to learn more about it. At future NYC weed bars, people can gather, discuss different products, share cannabis, and enjoy being in a community of like-minded people.

Cannabis is meant to connect us, and that’s exactly what cannabis lounges will strive to do once licensed.

Education and community

When you visit a bar or cafe and find a drink you’ve never heard of, you might ask the bartender or barista about it. The same is true for any new products you encounter at a cannabis lounge. It’ll be a little like being at a dispensary, though you absolutely can’t consume cannabis at a dispensary or even open your products there.

At cannabis lounges, there will be product offerings to choose from and passionate, educated people to help you decide. Plus, for someone who has never smoked before, a consumption lounge presents an opportunity to do so in a controlled environment.

Unique offerings

Would you attend a class to learn how to roll a joint? Make a THC-infused mocktail? Learn the difference between a standard pre-roll and a hash hole? Consumption lounges’ unique such as classes will help people become more familiar and comfortable with the plant.

Where to go before cannabis lounges arrive in NYC

When cannabis lounges become fully legal in New York, prepare to lift off to a new kind of cannabis consumption. In the meantime, though, dispensaries are the best way to get top-quality cannabis and insights from knowledgeable, passionate, professional cannabis aficionados. Visit The Travel Agency’s dispensaries in Union Square and Downtown Brooklyn, and on Fifth Avenue, for a fully legal ascent.